HARTSVILLE, S.C., July 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has released its 2016-2017 Corporate Responsibility Report. The report, which is available on the Company’s website at www.sonoco.com/sustainability, celebrates Sonoco’s successful projects while reporting on the Company’s significant progress toward long-term sustainability goals.

In 2016, Sonoco reduced total water usage by 4.09 percent, total energy usage by 0.52 percent and total greenhouse gas emissions by 3.35 percent (all figures are year over year). Sonoco Recycling recovered the equivalent by weight of 57 percent of the product that Sonoco places into the marketplace.

The Company also made great strides in safety, with 21 fewer employees injured worldwide compared to the previous year. And the Sonoco Diversity and Unity Council worked to create a diverse workforce within an inclusive environment by sponsoring activities for several affinity teams and fostering diversity and inclusion education, awareness and communication throughout the Company.

“This year’s report shows great progress as we advance toward our 2020 targets,” said Jack Sanders, Sonoco’s president and CEO. “At Sonoco, we believe People Build Businesses by Doing the Right Thing. This principle guides all our actions—maintaining our commitment to our customers, treating our employees with respect, delivering shareholder value, making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work, and taking steps to lessen our impact on the environment.”

Since 2009, Sonoco has reduced total greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) by 6.7 percent, or by 21 percent per metric ton of production; and it has reduced total water usage by 31 percent, or by 42 percent per metric ton of production. Among the Company’s global manufacturing operations, 10 percent have achieved 95 percent or greater diversion of wastes to landfill.

Sonoco’s increasing emphasis on the Sustainable Materials Management philosophy focuses on how to make a positive impact throughout the supply chain, for all customers. Sustainability remains a key motivation throughout all project stages: design, production, delivery, display, consumption, and recycling and reuse. Factors like sourcing, shelf life, energy efficiency, carbon footprint and recycling are weighed throughout the packaging lifecycle.

About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE:SON) is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $4.8 billion, the Company has 20,000 employees working in more than 300 operations in 33 countries, serving some of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit www.sonoco.com.